Community Learning and Development Arrangements Praised by Education Scotland
Friday, 21 June 2024 11:47
Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Partnership recently received high praise from Education Scotland following a CLD Progress Visit conducted earlier this year as part of a national inspection programme.
The findings from the report, presented at the June meeting of the council’s Communities Committee and the Community Planning Partnership Board, commended the robust partnership arrangements that contributed to this positive outcome.
Key partners in this successful collaboration included the council, NHS, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, D&G College, Skills Development Scotland, along with a range of local groups, organisations, volunteers and learners. The report highlighted several strengths:
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Strategic leadership of CLD: effective leadership driving CLD initiatives.
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Volunteering impact: significant contributions and impact of volunteers.
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Barrier removal: efforts to ensure support reaches those most in need.
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Youth Work Services: increasing access to services benefiting young people.
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Adult learning opportunities: enhancing mental health and wellbeing through adult education.
Dumfries and Galloway received the highest ‘confidence statement’ available, with three areas identified as best practices for national sharing:
1. Youth Work Service staff and volunteer pathway.
2. Community Asset Transfer processes.
3. Support for young people experiencing low mental health issues in schools.
Stephen Jack, Chair of the CLD Partnership and Lifelong Learning Manager, remarked, “CLD partners are delighted with the outcome of the recent inspection. It evidences the significant impact that CLD is having on vulnerable adults and young people within our region and underscores the vital role of local voluntary groups and organisations in building capacity and driving innovative community projects.”
The full inspection report is available here: https://education.gov.scot/media/scojgaht/cld-dumfries-and-galloway-council-pv-190324.pdf